Entering Prison for a Greater Cause
The observation that penal institutions unwittingly reinforce the deviant tendencies of inmates has been repeatedly made by criminologists. How can the cycle be broken?
Why do so many criminals repeat their offenses? In a landmark study conducted by Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck, the conclusion emerged that about three fourths of those entering jail have been there before. The younger the person at the time of the first offense, the higher the rate of return to jail and the sooner it occurs.
The figures vary from time to time. Why are the rates so high, even among those who come out of “model” institutions? Certainly, the issue of self worth has been proved to be a factor time and again. In addition, the observation that penal institutions unwittingly reinforce the deviant tendencies of inmates has been repeatedly made by criminologists. How can the cycle be broken?
Two scholars, Lloyd W. McCorkle, warden of the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, and Richard R. Korn, director of education and counseling at the same institution, take the position, that the total result of the interacting trends and processes going on in the present system has been to isolate the offender from socially beneficial contact with people outside the inmate social world and to prevent the formation of relationship bonds that might make those who are released acceptable members of the non-criminal community.
Dr. McCorkle and Mr. Korn seem not only to put their fingers on one of the major causes of recidivism (relapse) but present the case of the presence of volunteers in penal institutions – people with whom inmates can form such relationship bonds.
Not only is the presence of volunteers in penal institutions necessary but there is a need for a particular type of volunteers—one who by virtue of his or her presence in prisons can be a role model, counselor and a friend, a catalyst in the process of rebirth.
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User Comments
Sourav
On November 1, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Good article… dfferent and interesting.
cutedrishti8
On November 1, 2009 at 3:05 pm
A nice researched work…
Frances Lawrence
On November 1, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Very interesting. I suspect privatised prison services have a lot to do with the problem too. There is no joines up thinking.
ceegirl
On November 1, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Good article
Leonardo davinci Evans
On November 1, 2009 at 3:52 pm
However, prisoners are also captive audiences for those who wish to influence others in unfair ways.
Join me in requesting all communities that they require the police to address the public as “citizen”. The psychological impact of them having to do that will assist our society and the police as well.
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa
On November 1, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Interesting, but I am not too sure there are many of us who would want to volunteer; but I understand the psychological part, here in the US, many have a decent life, medical, dental, education, meals and a roof over their head. The world for them can be a big scary place.
Awesome article thou
Mystify
On November 1, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Excellent article by all standards!This is a subject that is often not even touched on.I like the fact this creates awareness about such matters. I believe society itself plays a part,by being labeled convict,by being sent to a prision where other prisoners are who have more serious offenses it is amazing what they pick up they did not know espcially as younger people who are more open to learning..It would be good if people would actually volunteer but at the same time a rather scary thought in senses to bond with say a murderer! Excellent read Athena! Thanks for sharing!!
T.Rex McGoogle
On November 1, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Congrats Athena,
I am impressed by your dedication to topics that seek to make better citizens out of this class of people. They do repeat far
too often and I love to see a person take up that noble cause–to
improve those who come back to society.
Good Writing.
Snooky
On November 2, 2009 at 12:17 am
I beieve that there a very select few inmates that might I say might benefit from social bridgeing. But most having gone beyound jail and constantly repeating the same offences I feel would rather be there than out here, or else they would make freedom a way of life. As with any issue there are exceptions, but I do not think that many good article
Monica Sappleton
On November 2, 2009 at 12:39 am
A very well presented and well researched article, addressing the need to place the volunteer role model in penal institutions. I hope they will listen.
Monica.
Petalm
On November 2, 2009 at 6:19 am
I have a friend who volunteers at a prison.
Fiona Beck
On November 2, 2009 at 9:14 am
Having worked as a prison officer, in a female establishment, my experience is that the main reason they re offend is the same as the reason they are there in the first place. They are a product of the environment in which they were raised. This is the same place they return to upon release. Prison is not a ‘real’ environment so much of what is gained can easily be lost when they go back to the old life.
Having a criminal record closes many doors in life and this is also a factor, regardless of what programs are in place in the prison.
chitragopi
On November 2, 2009 at 9:28 am
Good thoughtful article.
alc
On November 2, 2009 at 9:35 am
Your graph is shocking! Thanks for the terrific article! Thanks for the share, also.
cebuanaeyez
On November 2, 2009 at 6:01 pm
The statistics are mind blowing! Great article.
Karen Gross
On November 2, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I have been a volunteer visitor at a prison when I was in university. It wasn’t really scary because we went as a group.
SharifaMcFarlane
On November 2, 2009 at 11:59 pm
True.
Sometimes people end up going back because when they get out they face the same problems and options of dealing with the problems, only now, they have even less positive options because they havethe stigma of ex-con attached.
CHAN LEE PENG
On November 3, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I hope your article will bring attention to the persons in charge. This issue needs to be addressed to the appropriate party.
Ruby Hawk
On November 3, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Wow, itg looks like we are the worst offenders of all. I think when prisoners have contact with mostly other criminals it makes a greater impression on them to repeat crimes.
simplyoj
On November 4, 2009 at 1:06 am
thanks for this unusual article. I experienced visiting prison for a few times because of my father’s previous volunteer work inside. Government and private sectors should cooperate to help them and avoid lowering the return rate.
trulytito
On November 5, 2009 at 4:03 am
Yes, it is a god article.
Appreciation.
Tito.
Netty net
On November 7, 2009 at 11:55 am
Wow that good. I sometimes watch lockup raw and sometimes the prisoner don’t want out for what ever reason.
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